swapping motors on bass boat

[troy306]

I have a 92 model Nitro, with a blown Johnson 115, I have just bought a 1982 Ranger, with a 1991 Mercury black max 150. What type of troubles am I in for if I try to replace the Johnson with the Mercury on my Nitro boat?

 

[j_martin]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

Speeding tickets.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

Is it rated for 150? Putting on too much motor is illegal in many states.

Mercury and Johnson control cables and wiring harnesses are completely different. Some gauges are incompatible.

Rangers hold their value much better than Nitros. Nitro is kinda at the bottom of the food chain and Ranger is at the top.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

if not rated for 150, insurance problems, authorities, can declare it and unsafe vessel, overpowered.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

Wait a minute guys. We don't know the rating of the boat. Maybe it's rated for 150? Course if it's not......................

So I'm going to suggest that complete rewiring/instrumentation, maybe redrilling engine clamp bolt holes, playing around to get the proper setup, and a new prop.

Mark

 

[troy306]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

Thanks for the replies, and yes it is rated for a 150 Max. I was just wondering because my Nitro is in excellent shape as far as the carpet guages and livewell controls. The ranger however needs carpet, guages and new water shut off valves for the livewells. hull is in great shape though. Should I attempt to just re-carpet and fix up the ranger? It is a smooth running boat, I believe it is smoother running than my nitro. Need advise i'm torn as to what to do...... Oh yea, the 150 also has a 5 blade stainless prop, I'd sure hate to have to replace it$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[j_martin]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

I have an 88 Tracker 1800 with a 150 XR4 on it. It would be the precursor to the Tracker Nitro series. It's on a 6 in manual jack plate, with a 24 in high five prop (like yours) on it. It's a fun boat to drive and fishes nice also. I have to tuck the motor under all the way to go slow enough to pull a water skier. Flat out in a good chop it touches the lake once in awhile.

At the age of these parts, it all boils down to your preferences. If you decide to bone out the Ranger, most of the gauges and controls should fit.

One other thing is your original steering may have been either single cable or dual drum. Dual rack is the minimum for a 150 on that boat. Morse NFB dual rack is awesome.

If the Ranger is solid, I would bet that the best value and easiest getting to the water would be to fix it up and go. Be sure transom is solid and it's not waterlogged before you commit to it.

hope it helps
John

 

[troy306]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

Thanks John for the advise, I think I'll just fix up the ranger, and then get my 115 rebuilt on the Nitro. I think I'll be money ahead, and then I'll have a back up. It sucks to be broke down. I was without a boat last year, and got pretty cagey around the house. Thanks again.

 

[ddennis]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

In swapping to a different Mfg motor, would new holes have to be drilled in the transom? Or do the mfg's use a standard hole pattern?

 

[j_martin]

Re: swapping motors on bass boat

It sucks to be broke down. I was without a boat last year, and got pretty cagey around the house. Thanks again.

I know all about it. Ma made me buy the bass bote.